Driver’s posture leads to drug arrest in Sturbridge

Thursday

Nov 29, 2012 at 6:00 AM

The driver of a rented car drew a state trooper’s attention on Interstate 84 because his head was tilted back so far in his seat, and he ended up being arrested for allegedly dealing cocaine and heroin.

Jason E. Western, 23, and a passenger in the vehicle, Jaquan R. Cintron, 22, both of New York City, pleaded not guilty to trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in heroin, and possession to distribute a Class B substance Wednesday. Mr. Western was also cited for failing to drive in the right lane and unsafe driving.

A Dudley District Court judge ordered Mr. Western and Mr. Cintron held on $7,500 bail each. They return to court Dec. 18 for pretrial hearings.

Trooper Yuriy P. Bukhenik was in his cruiser watching eastbound traffic on the highway when he saw the men in a rented Nissan Versa. Snow was falling, road conditions were poor and visibility was deteriorating, the police report said.

The driver was “leaning so far back in his seat, that his head was not visible through the driver’s side window,” state police said. The driver continued in the center lane for about a mile, state police said.

After Mr. Western was stopped, he appeared nervous, bouncing his right leg when he spoke to the trooper, state police said.

He told the trooper he and his friend were headed from New York, “a source city” for narcotics, to Lawrence, “a major drug hub,” the report said.

The trooper checked and found both men had convictions in New York. When asked what he had been arrested for, Mr. Cintron allegedly said he had been raided by police for “slinging crack cocaine on the corner.”

Another trooper and his drug-sniffing dog found narcotics in the trunk, police said. There were 50 10-bag bundles of heroin, 190 blue pills with the imprint “A 215,” and 21 bags of cocaine, state police said.

While in the monitored holding cell, Mr. Western allegedly coached Mr. Cintron on what to say and told him the lawyer would take care of him.

Mr. Cintron allegedly said he was broke and homeless and their supplier would drop them since they are now a risk after being caught. He also said he had only asked to go for a ride and now sat in jail for major charges.

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